The Portland City Council voted to amend Ordinance 8A at its meeting Monday night to allow keeping male and female Muscovy ducks, as well as chicken hens. A public hearing had previously been held by the planning commission.

Mayor James Barnes noted that Muscovy ducks are "less noisy than we are used to," and that the request to amend the ordinance was made by a resident with a family member who is allergic to chicken eggs and wants to substitute duck eggs.

Council members also approved three ordinances that, together, enabled them to allow the possession and consumption of beer and wine in city parks where posted rules permit it. Beer and wine are not allowed on the playing field or players' benches during games; nor are glass containers, liquor or keg beer allowed in any park unless a permit is obtained.

Portland City Manager Tom Dempsey introduced the idea of allowing alcohol in parks at the city council's May 20 meeting.

Mayor Pro-Tem Joel VanSlambrouck noted at that meeting that he has heard from members of softball teams that have moved to other cities' fields, because they can't consume alcohol in Portland's parks.

"It's devastating to parks and rec," VanSlambrouck said. "We need to take a look at that to see what can be done for adult softball leagues."

"This is an issue in terms of competitiveness for leagues, but also legitimizing conduct that is currently illegal, but taking place in parks," Dempsey said in May. "We could still have some parks remain dry."

Then-Police Chief Bob Bauer said such a change would bring business into the community.

"Some of that goes on now, and the vast majority of people with alcohol use it responsibly," Bauer said in May. "For those who don't, this won't make any difference – they're going to do what they're going to do."

Council approved a proposal by Fleis & VandenBrink to provide engineering services for a water system reliability study for the city. The study, which is required by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality every five years, is a master plan for the water system, said Paul Galdes from Fleis & VandenBrink.

"Even though this is mandated by the DEQ, I think it's a good thing," said council member Stacy Krause.

The cost is not to exceed $7,400, and will be paid for from the city's water fund.

Council also approved Fleis & VandenBrink's proposal to provide engineering services for the reconstruction of Knox, Barley and Storz streets, at an amount not to exceed $41,800. Construction could begin in the spring of 2014.

Council members followed the Portland Board of Light And Power's recommendation and voted to opt out of the low-income energy assistance fund, created by a bill passed by the state legislature in June and awaiting Gov. Rick Snyder's signature. The bill would require all electric utilities to charge customers up to $1 a month to raise money for the fund.

Page 2 of 2 - Dempsey said up to $30,000 could flow into the fund, which is administered in Lansing, from Portland customers, but "there are no guarantees that stays" in Portland.

"We can opt out annually, and that is the Board of Light and Power's recommendation: opting out rather than raise (residents') bills by $1 month," he said. "The trade-off is agreeing we won't shut off customers from November to April. We already do this for low-income (people) and the elderly; this would extend that to everyone."

"Because those funds are not going to benefit our community and also considering we already provide assistance and protection to low-income people, I move to approve," Krause said.

In other action, council approved an ordinance amendment permitting outdoor use-rated plywood to support signs 32 square feet or less; authorized the expenditure of up to $10,000 to participate in a study that could result in savings and improved risk management of Portland's power supply portfolio, as recommended by the Board of Light and Power; and authorized the repair of one of the city's damaged diesel generators at an estimated cost of $75,000.

Council also confirmed the mayor's appointments of Robert Torp-Smith to the Board of Light and Power, and Richard Pohl and Julie Clement to the Economic Development Corporation.